Identification of a genetic marker of Helicobacter pylori strains involved in gastric extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma of the MALT-type

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastric extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma of the mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type (MZBL) is a rare complication of Helicobacter pylori infection. Currently, no bacterial factor has been associated with the development of this disease. Our aim was to identify genes associated with lymphoma development. METHODS: We used subtractive hybridisation as a tool for comparative genomics between H pylori strains isolated from a patient with gastric MZBL and from a patient with gastritis only. RESULTS: When gastric MZBL strains were compared with gastritis strains, two open reading frames (ORFs) were significantly associated with gastric MZBL: JHP950 (74.4% v 48.7%, respectively; p = 0.023) and JHP1462 (25.6% v 2.6%, respectively; p = 0.004). The prevalence of JHP950 was 48.8% (p = 0.024) in duodenal ulcer strains and 39.3% (p = 0.006) in gastric adenocarcinoma strains, which makes this ORF a specific marker for gastric MZBL strains. In contrast, the prevalence of JHP1462 was 16% (p = 0.545) and 35.7% (p = 0.429) in duodenal ulcer and adenocarcinoma strains, respectively. These ORFs were present in reference strain J99 but not in reference strain 26695. JHP950 is located in the plasticity zone whereas the other, JHP1462, is located outside. Both encode for H pylori putative proteins with unknown functions. CONCLUSION: Despite its low prevalence, the ORF JHP1462 can be considered a candidate marker for H pylori strains involved in severe gastroduodenal diseases. In contrast, the ORF JHP950 has a high prevalence, and is the first candidate marker for strains giving rise to an increased risk of gastric MZBL strains. Further confirmation in other studies is needed.     

Family function and social support in Iranian self-immolated women

Aim

The significance of family function and social support in Iranian self-immolated women was investigated in this study.

Methods

In a prospective design, we selected 53 cases (31 self-immolated women and 22 women with unintentional burn) from Tehran and Shiraz burn centre (Motahari and Ghotbeddin Shirazi, respectively). The average age of the experimental group was 26.19 (S = 7.11) with a burn percentage of 46.11 (S = 25.52), and the average age of the control group was 29.15 (S = 5.12) and their burn percentage was 43 (S = 25.98). Along with Demographic Information Questionnaire, participants were administered Family Assessment Device (FAD) and Social Support Scale (SSS). To analyse data, we used chi-square test (χ²), t-test, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and also logistic regression analysis.

Results

Data showed that the difference of Family Function sub-scales between the experimental and control groups was not significant (Wilk's lambda = 0.75, F = 1.67, df = (8, 51), P < 0.05). On the other hand, two independent sample t-tests showed a significant difference of Social Support between the two groups (t = –3.31, df = 51, P < 0.002).

Conclusions

Consistent with previous studies, this research showed that the less Social Support one perceives the more one at risk for self-immolation. Although the mean scores of FAD sub-scales in control group were more than experimental group, there was no significant difference between the two groups.     

Effect of Sleeper-Ballast Particle Contact on Lateral Resistance of Concrete Sleepers in Ballasted Railway Tracks

Although a sleeper makes a great contribution to the lateral resistance of ballasted tracks, in this regard, limited studies have been carried out on the effect of its contact surface with ballast aggregates. The current paper is dedicated to evaluating the effect of sleeper shape on the lateral resistance of ballasted track through discrete element modelling (DEM). For this purpose, firstly, a DEM model was validated based on the experimental results. Then, a sensitivity analysis was undertaken on the effect of the different contact areas that a standard concrete sleeper faces with the crib, shoulder and underlying ballast aggregates on lateral resistance of a single sleeper. As the main result of the current study, a high accurate regression equation for constant weight 319.2 kg and constant density 2500 kg/m³ of the sleepers was fitted between different sleeper contact areas and the maximum lateral resistance of a concrete sleeper for 3.5 mm lateral displacement in ballasted railway tracks. The obtained results showed that the effect of the sleeper’s head area compared to the underlying area of the sleeper and the head area of the sleeper compared to the sleeper’s side area in terms of lateral resistance are 8.2 times and 14.5 times more, respectively.     

Enhancing mechanism of arsenic(iii) adsorption by MnO2-loaded calcined MgFe layered double hydroxide

The use of MnO₂/MgFe-layered double hydroxide (MnO₂/MgFe-LDH) and MnO₂/MgFe-layered double oxide (MnO₂/MgFe-LDO_{400 °C}) for arsenic immobilization from the aqueous medium is the subject of this research. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterise MnO₂/MgFe-LDH and MnO₂/MgFe-LDO_{400 °C}. Based on our developed method, MnO₂ was spread on the clay composites'' surfaces in the form of a chemical bond. The clay composite exhibited a good adsorption effect on arsenic. The experimental findings fit the pseudo-second-order model well, indicating that the chemisorption mechanism played a significant role in the adsorption process. Furthermore, the Freundlich model suited the adsorption isotherm data of all adsorbents well. The recycling experiment showed that MnO₂/MgFe-LDH and MnO₂/MgFe-LDO_{400 °C} exhibited good stability and reusability. In summary, MnO₂/MgFe-LDH and MnO₂/MgFe-LDO_{400 °C} are promising for developing processes for efficient control of the pollutant arsenic.

Fabrication of materials and the adsorption of arsenic.     

Palliative Behandlung eines tief penetrierenden Tumors im medialen Lidwinkel mit Carbondioxidlaser

Ein tief penetrierender Tumor im medialen Augenwinkel wurde aus palliativer überlegung mit Carbondioxidlaser ausgeschnitten. Nach einem Frührezidiv, das ebenfalls mit Laser behandelt wurde, kam es zur Persecundam-Heilung mit zufrieden stellendem Ergebnis. Nach Carbondioxidlaserexzision ist keine plastische Deckung notwendig. Die einfache Methode mit wenig Aufwand und geringer Belastung ist besonders bei Patienten mit schlechter Compliance vorteilhaft.     

Lown-Ganong-Levine Syndrome in a 3-Month-Old Infant with Isolated Left Ventricular Noncompaction

This report describes a 3-month-old boy with isolated left ventricular noncompaction admitted to a medical facility due to heart failure and dysrhythmia. His electrocardiogram showed a short PR interval and a normal QRS complex after abortion of supraventricular tachycardia in favor of Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome or enhanced atrioventricular nodal conduction.